Cart

Options for returning to paid work after having kids

Returning to paid work after having kids is always a hot topic of conversation, sometimes starting before the baby is even born! Why we even feel the need to ask a mother when she plans on returning to work, I’ll never know. The decision to do so (or not!) is always a personal one, and I believe there’s still a lot of work to be done from ground level to ensure it’s an easy transition with greater flexibility for parents, and acceptance.

I’m personally extremely passionate about this topic and could babble on for days with statistics and my opinion – but I won’t! Instead, I’d love to open up the conversation on the rising number of parents (not just mums) starting their own businesses after having kids and searching for flexibility, and let you know a few options if it’s something you’re thinking about!

Stepping out on your own isn’t for everyone, but there are plenty of options to consider based on your skills, level of support required and interests. Here’s a few we’ve found.

Become a franchisee

A driving force behind many parents starting their own business is a former career or workplace not offering the flexibility required once children come along. I know this was mine!

Whilst something needs to change in the way companies retain talented employees after childbirth, that’s a whole other blog! But it’s great to know that businesses like Kindy Dance Time offer the option of starting your own business, to be able to use your skill set and passion to continue your career, around your kids.

If you love dance and kids and have a background in dance, music or drama, then a Kindy Dance Time franchise could be just the ticket to building your own thriving business with a fantastic work life balance.

You’ll leverage off an existing and highly regarded brand, get access to training and professional development, business coaching and support, marketing and promotional activity, and a business that works around school hours – you’ll even be at home during the school holidays, so no more juggling!

Becoming a franchisee is for you if you’re:

Passionate about your career

Love working with kids

Business savvy

Prepared to follow the business model

Kindy Dance Time is currently looking for new franchisees in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia and have a special offer on franchise entry price. You can find out more about becoming a Kindy Dance Time franchisee by downloading the brochure and read more on their website.

Refresh and restart a career

Sometimes our career choices change after starting a family as we find new interests and our priorities shift. Perhaps having children has uncovered a whole new passion for teaching and engaging with them – or perhaps you are already a teacher looking to use your skills without the long hours of working in child care.

Getting outside and teaching kids through activity isn’t just great for them, it’s also great for us, and sure does beat a desk job. So perhaps a franchise with Playball might be just the business you’re after, offering personal fulfilment, a healthy lifestyle and financial rewards. With a business model that has been proven over 25 years with hundreds of successful franchises worldwide, you’d be in great company too.

Playball is an internationally successful sports coaching program that teaches life skills through sports participation through weekly sports classes, school holiday programs and parties.

The best part? You don’t need any formal sports coaching qualification to become a franchise owner. Just a fun, energetic attitude and an interest in learning the ropes of running your own business. Playball will provide you with a carefully structured coaching system and business support to get you kicking goals.

A Playball franchise offers sporty, energetic people:

An opportunity to run your own business

An active and rewarding career

The ability to set your own work hours

Immense personal satisfaction from making a difference in children’s lives

Entry into a field of ever-growing national prominence

Direct business benefits from your efforts. Having pay related to output in a key factor in job satisfaction.

The support of an enthusiastic and helpful parent company

Detailed Coaching manuals with lesson plans to guide you

Detailed Marketing Manual to help you get customers

Detailed Operations Manual to show you how to run your new business

Ongoing service, training and support

Want to find out more? Check out their website for more information, and enrol your child for a Term 3 class to see what it’s all about!

Become an Independent Consultant

One of the most tried and tested platforms for flexible work is that of an Independent Consultant for a product that you know, like and trust.

We’ve all attended a home showing or ‘party’ in the past and I for one am a big fan of shopping with a glass of wine in hand, trying before I buy and catching up with girlfriends!

It’s a proven business model with so many benefits for those wanting to do something for themselves, and all without the headaches of starting your own business as you are literally provided with all the tools and support you need, and someone else does all the website work, shipping, marketing and product development! Did I also mention holiday incentives? #winning

There are some amazing brands that use the Community Commerce business model (and most of us have these items in our homes!) so start your research at home with the products you know and love already, and get back in touch with the friend who referred you to them and ask more about the business.

They’re launching in Australia later this year and taking pre-enrolments to give you a head start on launching your business, and as a previous Independent Consultant myself for another company, I can tell you first hand that getting in early is a great kick start to your business.

Becoming an Independent Consultant is right for you if you’re:

Looking for flexibility around you and your family’s schedule

Needing to get out of the house!

Personable and love to chat

Looking for extra cash or build a career

You can find out more about Rodan + Fields and start laying the foundations for your new skincare business by registering for pre-launch here.

Job sharing

If you’ve ever job shared, you’d know it’s not always an ideal scenario. Often great in theory, but not in practice.

Until now that is! We recently discovered the new Puffling platform, designed to allow you to choose who you job share with to ensure a unified pair that has each other’s back to get the job done.

Coming from the advertising industry (BC) myself, I know all too well how difficult going part time in an industry requiring full time presence is. Working on briefs with tight timelines was barely doable, and I’m sure if I was offered the option to job share, I would want as much confidence in who I shared with as my boss did!

Puffling will help you find your perfect job share partner then hook you up with the agency of your dreams. It’s kinda like match-making, only everyone’s really busy balancing brand guidelines with school runs.

Puffling is currently in beta testing, taking applications from mums wishing to return to the advertising workforce in particular, but will be expanding soon into law, HR, IT and finance.

This is such a great idea for helping skilled mums return to the workforce and the career they love, but with flexibility and without compromising your career. And it’s not just for mums! They’ll soon be opening this up for dad’s too.

Puffling have a suite of companies they already partner with for placements, so be sure to register your details to find out more.

So do your research and find the option that’s right for you and your family – regardless of anyone else’s opinion. There are endless options available, but I hope these ideas have got you thinking about the possibilities.